Why do we need to mash the fruits in isolating DNA?

Mashing the fruits helps break down the cell walls and membranes, releasing the cellular contents, including DNA. This physical disruption increases the surface area and facilitates the extraction of DNA by allowing the extraction solution to penetrate the cells more effectively. Additionally, mashing helps to denature proteins and other cellular components that may interfere with DNA isolation. Overall, this step is crucial for obtaining a pure and usable DNA sample.